: Historically, as a global gateway and mercantile power, the Dutch found that excluding potential partners based on religion or ethnicity was simply bad for business.
: The Dutch are currently the world's tallest people .
: A central thesis is that the ongoing struggle to reclaim land from the sea and prevent flooding has forced the Dutch to become masters of cooperation, pragmatism, and consensus-building. Why The Dutch Are Different: A Journey Into the...
The book identifies several key factors that have shaped the Dutch identity:
: Coates explores why a nation that enjoys one of the highest levels of wealth works fewer hours than almost anyone else, and why it is now questioning some of its famous liberal policies regarding drugs and immigration. Notable Trivia from the Book : Historically, as a global gateway and mercantile
: This necessity for collective effort (you can't build a dike alone) led to a culture of egalitarianism and the "polder model," where all voices are included in national conversations to reach workable compromises.
You can find more detailed reviews and purchase the book through retailers like Amazon and Goodreads . The book identifies several key factors that have
Originally stranded at Schiphol airport, Coates eventually settled in the country and set out to look past common cliches—like windmills and tulips—to find what truly defines the Dutch national character. Core Themes and Insights
: Historically, as a global gateway and mercantile power, the Dutch found that excluding potential partners based on religion or ethnicity was simply bad for business.
: The Dutch are currently the world's tallest people .
: A central thesis is that the ongoing struggle to reclaim land from the sea and prevent flooding has forced the Dutch to become masters of cooperation, pragmatism, and consensus-building.
The book identifies several key factors that have shaped the Dutch identity:
: Coates explores why a nation that enjoys one of the highest levels of wealth works fewer hours than almost anyone else, and why it is now questioning some of its famous liberal policies regarding drugs and immigration. Notable Trivia from the Book
: This necessity for collective effort (you can't build a dike alone) led to a culture of egalitarianism and the "polder model," where all voices are included in national conversations to reach workable compromises.
You can find more detailed reviews and purchase the book through retailers like Amazon and Goodreads .
Originally stranded at Schiphol airport, Coates eventually settled in the country and set out to look past common cliches—like windmills and tulips—to find what truly defines the Dutch national character. Core Themes and Insights